Parkville Missouri

Parkville Nature Sanctuary

Reservations | Events | Donations | Sponsorship Program | Contact Us | FOPNS | Sullivan Nature Sanctuary

The Parkville Nature Sanctuary is a wildlife preserve and educational site developed and maintained by the City of Parkville Parks and Recreation with the help of a group of extraordinary volunteers. It is a 115 acre natural outdoor area made accessible by nearly three miles of hiking trails.

The main entrance of the Parkville Nature Sanctuary is at 12th Street, south of Highway 9, at the bottom of the hill next to the Park University athletic fields.

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General Information

Hours:

  • Open every day, sunrise to sunset
  • Closed: October 27 and October 28 for Ghost Stories

Rules:

  • NO dogs or other pets allowed on the trails (see FAQs below for explanation)
  • Stay on trails
  • Put trash in proper receptacles
  • No unauthorized vehicles (including bicycles, skateboards, etc.)
  • No fires
  • No hunting, fishing, or trapping
  • No picking, collecting, or digging
  • No firearms
  • No camping
  • No weddings

Reservations

The Shelter (known as the Girl Scout Cabin) can be reserved in three-hour increments in the Nature Sanctuary. There is no vehicle access nor utilities available at the shelter. All nature sanctuary rules must be followed. Shelters can be reserved by completing the Shelter Reservation Permit and emailing it to City Hall at CityHall@parkvillemo.gov For additional information you may contact Nature Sanctuary Director Kristen Bontrager.


2023 Events

The Parkville Nature Sanctuary hosts several annual events.

  • Pollinator Garden Clean-up Day – Saturday, March 4, 9:30 a.m. to noon – volunteers will help with spring clean the memorial pollinator garden at the sanctuary. Gloves, equipment and light refreshments will be provided. FLYER
  • Nature Camp: June 6-2, 9am-Noon
  • Pumpkin Carving – Thursday, October 26, 6-8 p.m. (McKeon Stage in English Landing Park) FLYER
    • All ages welcome to this free event with live music from Shortleaf Band and refreshments, we will carve 200-300 pumpkins that will be used to decorate the trails of the nature sanctuary for the night of Ghost Stories.
  • Ghost Stories – Saturday, October 28, 6:30-9 p.m. FLYER
    • Kids Hour – 5:30p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
    • Haunted Trail: 7:15 p.m.
    • Music by Shortleaf Band and spooky stories: 6:30 p.m.
  • Winter Wonderland – Saturday, December 16, 3:30-4:30 p.m. More Information Register Here

Donations

Check:

Checks may be made out to the Parkville Nature Sanctuary and can dropped off or mailed to: Parkville City Hall, 8880 Clark Avenue, Parkville MO 64152.

Credit Card:

Click to here to make a donation via credit card (convenience fee applied to credit card payments). Please note that this link will take you to an external payment processing page. All donations are tax deductible.


Sponsorship Program

The Parkville Nature Sanctuary Sponsorship Program was set up to enhance programming including Nature Day Camp, Pumpkin Carving and Ghost Stories. Additionally, funds may be allocated to improve our trail system and keep the sanctuary safe and fun for all.

Check:

Checks may be made out to the Parkville Nature Sanctuary and can dropped off or mailed to: Parkville City Hall, 8880 Clark Avenue, Parkville MO 64152.

Credit Card:

Click to here to make a donation via credit card (convenience fee applied to credit card payments). Please note that this link will take you to an external payment processing page. All donations are tax deductible.


2023 Volunteer Work Day Opportunities

If you are interested in participating in a volunteer work day from 9 a.m. to noon on the dates below, please contact Kristen Bontrager in advance by Thursday of that week.

Note: The minimum age for the volunteer events is 13  years old.

If you are a Scout and are looking to complete an Eagle Scout Service Project, please contact Kristen Bontrager at (816) 741-7676.


Nature Sanctuary Staff:

Director: Kristen Bontrager
Assistant Director: Wayne Frazier


Friends of Parkville Nature Sanctuary

In 2015, the Friends of Parkville Nature Sanctuary (FOPNS) was founded as a 501(c)(3) to raise funds for projects at the Sanctuary.  In the fall of 2018, the group launched its website friendsofpns.org where visitors can view projects, purchase items or make a donation.

Robert Fluchel Memorial Butterfly Garden Commemorative Bricks: Gift a Brick

FOPNS is selling commemorative bricks that will be placed around the Robert Fluchel Memorial Butterfly Garden at the entrance to the sanctuary. Application

2023 Calendars

The Friends of Parkville Nature Sanctuary is planning ahead for 2023! Their annual calendar featuring images from this year’s monthly photo contest is now on sale. All proceeds will go to projects that are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the sanctuary. For more information visit https://www.friendsofpns.org/store.html.


Sullivan Nature Sanctuary

The Sullivan Nature Sanctuary is located on the north side of Platte Landing Park along Rush Creek, west of the bridge entry. The land was donated by members of the Sullivan family and was dedicated in memory of Edgar and Ruth Sullivan, as well as other family members.  The North Twin and South Twin trails were named after their twin daughters, Kathryn and Virginia. In honor of Maria Ewing, the matriarch of the Sullivan family, the loop trail at end of the North Wing Trail was named the Maria Ewing Trail in April 2015.

Sullivan Nature Sanctuary SignHistory

The sanctuary land was part of 8.64 acres acquired from the Brown and Smalley families in 2006 (4.64 acres were purchased and 4 acres were donated). A total of 3.03 acres became dedicated to the Sullivan Nature Sanctuary and the balance was reserved for future parkland. In 2010, the land was platted and the Brown family donated an additional 1.15 acres to the north, expanding the sanctuary to 4.18 acres. In 2014, the Brown and Smalley families dedicated an additional 3.45 acres to expand the sanctuary to 7.63 acres. The remaining acreage is still reserved for future parkland.


Frequently Asked Questions